THQ doubles down with Double Fine

Double Fine founder and CEO Tim Schafer indicated during a talk at Develop 2010 last month that his studio would be following up Brutal Legend with four downloadable titles. Yesterday, reports surfaced that the first of those games would be Costume Quest, a quest-based combat game to be published by THQ this fall. Today, THQ officially confirmed Costume Quest, announcing also that it would publish a second Double Fine project in early 2011.

Details on Double Fine and THQ's second project remain largely under wraps. However, the publisher did note that it will be a third-person adventure game that will see release via download. According to THQ EVP Martin Good, the game also has "potential appeal" to both core and casual audiences.

THQ was far less tight-lipped about Costume Quest, however. As reported yesterday, the game will be an adventure role-playing game that plays out on Halloween night. Gamers find themselves among a group of young friends who travel about during All Hallows' Eve, collecting candy, cards, and quest assignments from denizens of his neighborhood.

Adding in a mystical element, players will also be able to metamorphosis into their costume of choice, giving them the ability to battle or outwit creatures of the night. A variety of costumes are in the game, and each comes with its own special attributes and powers.

Costume Quest is expected to release this fall for Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network.